Dear Editor,

It is unfortunate that anyone wishing to host a festival of any sort walks in the shadow of past events and festivals. There doesn’t seem to be room for the new and the brave in this town.

I was one of many from the Royal Canadian Legion #96 who volunteered to do the beer garden for Sturgis Canada. To the best of my knowledge, there was little to no support from city hall and the chamber of commerce. That makes two strikes against. The weather did not co-operate for the first day — three strikes. Gossip on the street saying Burton Cummings was cancelled (the fourth strike) added to the failure. Many comments were made about money that was owed to parties from other festivals, making five strikes. I must have said 30 or more times, this is not other festivals: this is Sturgis.

As one of the volunteers, I wish the people of Merritt to understand we were treated with respect and open communication. I would support another event hosted by Sturgis. Our volunteers were given day passes, equal to $100, and could see the show with their passes. The Burton Cummings show was fabulous.

I see bike owners no differently than classic car owners. Huge investments go into a vehicle — any vehicle. Manoeuvres require a great deal of practice, and should be appreciated. Clubs from both Canada and the U.S. spent thousands to come and entertain you, to no avail.

To sum it all up: all should think before they speak, open-mindedly, fairly, and above all informed, before they say no or speak out of turn.

The potential was lost, and it is so unfortunate.

Marion Tillotson
Merritt